A picture-perfect tiny village, hidden in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, Yelbong is a paradise not only for nature lovers but also for adventure addicts. Situated in the Kalimpong district of North Bengal, this serene hamlet can be reached within 3 hours drive from either Siliguri or New Mal Junction. The same can be accessed from Bagrakot as well. During winters, this village can also be accessed by bike or any small vehicle following the course of river Ghis from Odlabari. But this route is for extreme adventure seekers and those having proper experience of such trails.
The peaceful village is surrounded by hillslopes, forests, and rivers. The gorgeous Ramti river is the lifeline of this village which supports the bio-diversity of this place. An adobe of numerous varieties of butterflies and exotic birds have given this village a fairyland look. There are two beautiful waterfalls inside the forest named Rainbow waterfall and Three-step waterfall. Winters at Yelbong are chilly and often offer a magnificent view of the sky and are considered the perfect season for stargazing.
Apart from oozing out an alluring scenic appeal, the most interesting attraction of Yelbong are the deep gorges of Ramti and Gumba river, which is not only an exotic location for a geographical excursion, but Yelbong offers the best Canyon Trek of West Bengal. Locally known by the name of Robber’s Cave Trek, this 3-to-4-hour canyon trek includes some extreme adventure activities like rappelling, bouldering, cave crawling, river crossing which will give you an acute adrenaline rush. It is always recommended to carry proper gear and experienced guides when you attempt this adventure trek.